Chiefs rally against Bombers

RICHLAND - With this iteration of Moses Lake baseball a clutch hit can come from anywhere.

Down two runs in the sixth inning, Jaime Vela powered the game-tying home run to even the Chiefs with Richland, 4-4, entering the final frame.

Moses Lake (2-1) was able to notch two more runs in the seventh and handed the Bombers a 6-4 loss.

"We just had some good consistent at bats," head coach Quintz Whitaker said. "Our bottom half of our order had a phenomenal day yesterday."

Phenomenal as in the six, seven, eight and nine batter combined for 8 hits.

It's quite the luxury for a coach if the top of the order is struggling.

"They go work and get their stuff done and you just never know which guy's going to come through," Whitaker said.

Eric Huberdeau and Ryan Pena recorded 2 hits each. Vela and Pena also combined to drive in 4 runs.

Hunter Boyd pitched a workmanlike 5 innings and fanned two Bombers.

After dropping its home opener to Mt. Spokane, Moses Lake has won two straight non league road games.

"That was definitely one of the things that early in the season when we were putting the schedule together we wanted to put some games on the road," Whitaker said. "Last year we played a lot of games at home early on and I think it's nice to be able to get out and get on the road and get a chance 'cause come playoff time eventually you're going to have to hopefully hit the road at some point."

Moses Lake will return to Larson Field Saturday at noon to face Mead.

The Chiefs were able to beat the Panthers, 4-1, on March 29. But aside from being a little familiar with Mead's hitters, Whitaker isn't too concerned with how the Panthers will respond Saturday.

"We're just trying to play our game and we're not going to take too much into account for what the other team's doing right now," he said.